WATERTOWN, MN  After six residential burglaries in Watertown during September, the Carver County Sheriff’s Office is urging citizens to take steps to protect their properties.

“We are going to need the public’s help on this one,” Chief Deputy Bob VanDenBroeke said.

Authorities said the suspect may be living locally, but the investigation is ongoing.

Four of the burglaries took place after Sept. 25, according to a report from the sheriff’s office. The first, which happened Sept. 8, doesn’t appear to be connected with the others, but the Sept. 13 burglary has the same pattern as the others.

Common items stolen include change, money jars, and electronics such as iPods, MP3 players, and a computer. Two vehicles, which were later recovered, were also stolen. One of the vehicles was used during a burglary.

The suspect typically entered through unlocked doors or windows, or cut screens to get in.

One burglary victim in Watertown may have been approached by the suspect.

According to the sheriff’s report, she described him as a white male in his early 20s, wearing a baseball cap, a long-sleeved shirt, and blue jeans. She said he was clean-shaven with short, lighter-colored hair, appeared “scruffy,” and was between 5’ 6” and 5’ 8” tall with a very thin build.

The victim stated that the man came to her home and asked if she had seen his lost dog. When the victim left her home, it was burglarized.

Information collected at the scene indicated that the man who asked about his lost dog was driving a vehicle that had been stolen in a previous burglary.

All of the related incidents appear to be daytime burglaries, VanDenBroeke said.

He added that the sheriff’s office is concerned because the suspect appears to be bold and not afraid to approach people.

“We need people to call us if they see something suspicious or if they feel uncomfortable about something. They need to let us check it out,” VanDenBroeke said.

If anyone has information relating to these burglaries or any other crime, contact the Carver County Sheriff’s Office at (952) 361-1212.

Anonymous tips can be given through Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppersmn.org. Call the tip line at (952) 361-1224 or text TIP674 plus a message to CRIMES [274637].

An online tip form is available at: http://www.co.carver.mn.us/county_government/sheriff/crimetip_form.asp.